Biblical-Contextual Theology: Narrative Hermeneutics for Contemporary Social Issues
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Abstract
This study develops and tests a Biblical-Contextual Theology
framework based on narrative hermeneutics to respond to
contemporary social issues in Indonesian urban congregations. Starting
from the assumption that the Bible is a big story that shapes the
imagination of faith and the ethos of praxis, the study formulates a fivestep
“Narrative-to-Action” protocol: (1) mapping the text’s storyworld
(plot, tension, symbols, resolution), (2) identifying key motifs (e.g.,
Exodus, Jubilee, Body of Christ, Incarnation), (3) critical dialogue with
local social narratives, (4) co-designing ecclesiological responses
(liturgy, catechesis, diakonia, digital communication), and (5)
implementation-evaluation. The mixed-methods design (dominantly
qualitative) includes textual study, interviews/FGDs, digital
ethnography, and a pre-post survey of the Congregation Narrative
Transformation Scale (TNJ) in three pilot congregations. Results show
an average pre-post increase of approximately 0.4–0.5 points (scale 1–
5) on three TNJ constructs—public theological imagination, ethical
disposition, and practical participation—strengthened by qualitative
themes: (a) Exodus as a framework for economic liberation (microloan
restructuring), (b) Jubilee as an imagination of
restoration/redistribution, (c) Body of Christ for digital inclusion &
literacy, and (d) Incarnation for hybrid pastoral closeness. The novelty
lies in the Narrative Mapping Matrix (NPN) that links story elements
to levers of social change (actors, structures, public imagination,
practices, policies) along with its evaluation metrics. The findings
confirm that narrative hermeneutics combined with a participatory
process can operationally bridge the text-context gap and produce
measurable practical changes. Limitations include the moderate sample
size and duration of the intervention; further studies are recommended
to extend the period, expand the locations, and add objective outcome
indicators. This research provides an applicable model for churches,
Christian educators, and public servants in designing just, inclusive,
and relevant community policies.
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